Dear Riza,

How are you? Have you decided what you're going to do yet?
I'm writing to let you know I passed the State Alchemist exam. I'm now state certified. I have the pocket watch with the Amestrian seal on it and a new title. They call me the Flame Alchemist. Hardly original, but then the military isn't really known for its sense of humour. I'm a Major to boot. How mad is that, Riza? I've only been out of the academy three months and I'm already a major.

I got my orders today. I'm being sent to Ishbal with some other State Alchemists next week. I don't know what the mail's like out there, so please don't worry too much if you don't hear from me for a while. Don't worry about me, Riza. Some of the other Alchemists I've met have been on battlefields before. They told me that the higher ups try to protect us as much as possible, because apparently we're valuable. So you see I probably won't end up getting injured or anything just yet.

I hope you're doing ok. Please write back.

Roy